Commercial Lighting in Colorado
Lighting is often the easiest place to start. You can see it, count it, and measure it. These short guides explain the equipment in plain words, then point you to the right tool.
Equipment guides
Start with the lighting you have today
High Bay Lighting
High bay lights are fixtures mounted high above the floor, usually 20 feet or more. You see them in warehouses, shops, gyms, and manufacturing space. They often run many hours a day, so they are one of the first places to look for savings.
Read guideMetal Halide
Metal halide is an older high-wattage lamp used in warehouses, shops, and parking lots. It gets dimmer as it ages, needs warm-up time, and uses a ballast. LED replacements use less power and turn on instantly.
Read guideT8 Fluorescent
T8 is a one-inch tube light used in offices, schools, and shops. LED choices include a new tube, an upgrade kit, or a whole new light. Each has a different cost and result.
Read guideT12 Fluorescent
T12 tubes are the older, thicker fluorescent lamps, about 1.5 inches across. They use magnetic ballasts that hum and flicker as they age. Buildings still running T12 usually have the strongest upgrade case.
Read guideLED Troffer
A troffer is the rectangular fixture that drops into a ceiling grid. Common sizes are 2x2 and 2x4. LED troffers replace fluorescent troffers and usually add dimming and sensor options.
Read guideWall Packs
Wall packs are exterior fixtures mounted on a building wall, usually over doors, docks, and walkways. They often run from dusk to dawn, which is about 4,000 hours a year, so run hours are high even when the fixture count is small.
Read guideParking Lot Lighting
Parking lot lights are pole-mounted fixtures, often called shoebox fixtures. They run every night of the year. Older lots often use metal halide or high pressure sodium, which look yellow or orange.
Read guideLighting Controls
Lighting controls turn lights off or down when full light is not needed. Common types are motion sensors, daylight sensors, timers, and dimming. Controls cut run hours, while new lights cut watts.
Read guideNext step
Turn the equipment list into numbers
Once you know the fixture type, count, watts, and hours, the calculator can estimate savings and the Rebate Finder can show programs that may apply.